You may be aware, UNISON was instrumental in pursuing legislation through the Scottish Parliament to protect Emergency Workers. The Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act, 2006 made it a specific offence to attack or hinder an emergency worker in performance of their duties. At the time UNISON argued that the Act should not just cover the traditional “Blue Light” services of Police, Fire-fighters and Ambulance personnel and we were successful in having all workers in acute hospitals included in the list of those to whom the Act would apply. To date over 800 members of the public have been successfully prosecuted under the Act.
However, this still leaves many thousands of our members who are not protected, such as social workers, parking attendants, environmental workers, health service staff working in the community, classroom assistants and many others. It is for this reason that UNISON supports a private members bill in the Scottish Parliament proposed by Hugh Henry, MSP. The private members bill gained sufficient support to proceed and is at the first stage in the Scottish Parliament as the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Bill. If successful the Bill will make it an offence for a member of the public to assault a public sector worker carrying out their job or because of the job they do.
However a majority of MSPs on the Committee considering the Bill (SNP, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives) voted against it proceeding. We will therefore need to persuade all MSPs to support it when it is debated in the chamber early next year.
UNISON, in conjunction with the STUC, is launching a campaign in support of the Bill. To assist with this, please email your MSP seeking their support for the bill. Further information on the campaign can be found here.
This will be a very important piece of legislation for our members and will give another layer of protection in our fight against violence.
Please do all you can to publicise the Bill and take part in our campaign.
Using a variety of methods: publicity, advice, legislation we can tackle this unnecessary burden on our members. Please make every effort to take up the recommendations contained in this letter and assist the campaign.
Friday, 17 December 2010
Friday, 10 December 2010
Living Wage letter to Glasgow City Council
UNISON Regional Organiser, Simon MacFarlane has written to the Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council, George Black, leader of the Council, George Matheson and the Principal Officer of the Council, Kevin Rush to request a meeting to discuss the council's support for a Glasgow Living Wage.
Below we reproduce the text of the letter:
I am writing to ask to meet with you to discuss the Living Wage and its applicability to the voluntary sector. The Living Wage will only be of genuine benefit if it provides a floor across as much of the economy in Glasgow and beyond as possible. It is my view that the Council must use it social, economic and moral leavers to help deliver this.
Being the first Council in Scotland to sign up to the Living Wage is to be commended, however it is time for the Authority to act. Words and a website have their part to play but the Authority needs to put its money where its mouth is.
My job in UNISON is supporting our members who work in the community and voluntary sector. Many or our members work for charities involved in the provision of social care. These organisations have seen their funding to service provision ratio squeezed year on year and as the bulk of the costs in this area are staff this directly impacts on our members.
To give just one example, the Council is the major funder of The Mungo Foundation, many staff here earn below the Living Wage of £7.15, some are only a few pence above the National Minimum Wage, yet instead of wages rising they have been frozen for two years.
As the major funder of The Mungo Foundation you should be calling on them to implement the Living Wage, and crucially you should be funding them to do so.
I would like to meet with you along with some of our members who are affected by these issues to discuss this matter.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Below we reproduce the text of the letter:
I am writing to ask to meet with you to discuss the Living Wage and its applicability to the voluntary sector. The Living Wage will only be of genuine benefit if it provides a floor across as much of the economy in Glasgow and beyond as possible. It is my view that the Council must use it social, economic and moral leavers to help deliver this.
Being the first Council in Scotland to sign up to the Living Wage is to be commended, however it is time for the Authority to act. Words and a website have their part to play but the Authority needs to put its money where its mouth is.
My job in UNISON is supporting our members who work in the community and voluntary sector. Many or our members work for charities involved in the provision of social care. These organisations have seen their funding to service provision ratio squeezed year on year and as the bulk of the costs in this area are staff this directly impacts on our members.
To give just one example, the Council is the major funder of The Mungo Foundation, many staff here earn below the Living Wage of £7.15, some are only a few pence above the National Minimum Wage, yet instead of wages rising they have been frozen for two years.
As the major funder of The Mungo Foundation you should be calling on them to implement the Living Wage, and crucially you should be funding them to do so.
I would like to meet with you along with some of our members who are affected by these issues to discuss this matter.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Pay Negotiations 2010/11 - ACT NOW: SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
UNISON has set up a petition to further show support for our pay claim. More info on this is available below, but if you are in a rush please sign up to the petition now at
https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/unisoninenable
Please also email a link from this page to your colleagues, whether they are UNISON members or not and encourage them to sign the petition too.
You will recall that we consulted members in September and October over our pay claim for this year. Members voted massively in favour of our claim, which you will recall was for:
• 2.5% on all salaries and allowances;
• That the sleepover allowance be paid for sleepovers up to 8 hours, anything above 8 hours to be paid at hourly rate;
• That Enable introduces the Scottish Living Wage as the minimum pay rate within Enable. The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.00 per hour (due to rise to £7.15); more info on it can be found at http://povertyalliance.org/slw-home.asp .
• That a joint review of the changes to the sick pay scheme is undertaken soon after 1 April 2011 which is the anniversary of the changes.
Your negotiators met with management on 11th November to submit the claim and begin negotiations, below is an extract of the minuet from the Joint Negotiating Committee:
UNISON’s paper on its pay claim was presented and noted.
Peter stated that the management accounts to 30 September 2010 had only been made available in the last two days and indicated a breakeven position, despite having removed costs in the region of £250,000. Pressure from local authorities to make savings has been relentless and a number of local authorities have given a clear picture of what to expect and are looking for dramatic and immediate responses from the voluntary sector on top of cost reductions that have already been achieved. He also indicated that he is very conscious that front line staff are not paid enough and that his hope in the medium term is to redirect resources into those pay rates. However, how this will be done has still to be decided. Peter suggested that it may be worth setting up a smaller group to work on how this can be achieved but emphasised that there would be no overnight solution.
Peter asked for time to consider UNISON’s pay claim and review the organisation’s financial position further at the Finance Committee on 16 December 2010. He gave a commitment to coming back to UNISON with a response quickly after this date. Peter also indicated that ENABLE Scotland would be interested in working with UNISON on the campaigns detailed in their pay claim paper and that he will give this some thought.
Alan added that area reviews are being conducted so that there can be full confidence in the figures and finances in each area.
John raised an issue with staff in Ayrshire not being told what rate of pay they will receive for overtime and being unsure of what services have Grade A or Grade B work. Lorraine explained that the senior manager for the area determines the grading of the staff required to support each particular individual. She agreed that she will work with Allison Erwin and John to ensure that staff are aware of the overtime rates. John noted that expenses were also not being paid to staff to attend training courses. Gillian also questioned the practice in one service in Glasgow where, if one staff member on rota goes off sick, the remaining staff member has to support two people. Gillian suggested that the remaining staff member should receive extra payment. Some frustration was expressed about far costs can be cut and Peter emphasised that if ENABLE Scotland didn’t take care of its finances, it wouldn’t survive in the future. Peter stated that offers had been made for Directors to attend team meetings and made that offer again.
Stephen asked if the Board had expressed a view on staff pay increases or how staff are paid. Alan replied that the Board scrutinises the organisation’s activities and is aware of the current pay rates and that it is constantly on the agenda. Mike noted that the philosophy of the organisation had always focused on service quality. Against that, social care within the Scottish Budget will be vulnerable and ENABLE Scotland must guard against the private sector moving in. Mike emphasised, however, that ENABLE Scotland is not interested in providing services at any cost.
Simon noted the frustration of UNISON’s members and welcomed a tightening up of the information on Grade A, B and C staff, along with the overtime protocol. He also stated that UNISON will wait until the Finance Committee for a response from ENABLE Scotland but emphasised that frontline staff are really feeling the pinch.
As you will see the Finance Committee is due to meet on 16th December to discover our claim. We are seeking an early meeting following this but it will likely be early in the New Year. It is important that we keep up the pressure to get a decent settlement. Remember VAT goes up by 2.5% to 20% on 1 January 2011. So please sign the online petition we have created. We can then present this to Enable as we go in to further negotiations.
To do so visit: https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/unisoninenable
https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/unisoninenable
Please also email a link from this page to your colleagues, whether they are UNISON members or not and encourage them to sign the petition too.
You will recall that we consulted members in September and October over our pay claim for this year. Members voted massively in favour of our claim, which you will recall was for:
• 2.5% on all salaries and allowances;
• That the sleepover allowance be paid for sleepovers up to 8 hours, anything above 8 hours to be paid at hourly rate;
• That Enable introduces the Scottish Living Wage as the minimum pay rate within Enable. The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.00 per hour (due to rise to £7.15); more info on it can be found at http://povertyalliance.org/slw-home.asp .
• That a joint review of the changes to the sick pay scheme is undertaken soon after 1 April 2011 which is the anniversary of the changes.
Your negotiators met with management on 11th November to submit the claim and begin negotiations, below is an extract of the minuet from the Joint Negotiating Committee:
UNISON’s paper on its pay claim was presented and noted.
Peter stated that the management accounts to 30 September 2010 had only been made available in the last two days and indicated a breakeven position, despite having removed costs in the region of £250,000. Pressure from local authorities to make savings has been relentless and a number of local authorities have given a clear picture of what to expect and are looking for dramatic and immediate responses from the voluntary sector on top of cost reductions that have already been achieved. He also indicated that he is very conscious that front line staff are not paid enough and that his hope in the medium term is to redirect resources into those pay rates. However, how this will be done has still to be decided. Peter suggested that it may be worth setting up a smaller group to work on how this can be achieved but emphasised that there would be no overnight solution.
Peter asked for time to consider UNISON’s pay claim and review the organisation’s financial position further at the Finance Committee on 16 December 2010. He gave a commitment to coming back to UNISON with a response quickly after this date. Peter also indicated that ENABLE Scotland would be interested in working with UNISON on the campaigns detailed in their pay claim paper and that he will give this some thought.
Alan added that area reviews are being conducted so that there can be full confidence in the figures and finances in each area.
John raised an issue with staff in Ayrshire not being told what rate of pay they will receive for overtime and being unsure of what services have Grade A or Grade B work. Lorraine explained that the senior manager for the area determines the grading of the staff required to support each particular individual. She agreed that she will work with Allison Erwin and John to ensure that staff are aware of the overtime rates. John noted that expenses were also not being paid to staff to attend training courses. Gillian also questioned the practice in one service in Glasgow where, if one staff member on rota goes off sick, the remaining staff member has to support two people. Gillian suggested that the remaining staff member should receive extra payment. Some frustration was expressed about far costs can be cut and Peter emphasised that if ENABLE Scotland didn’t take care of its finances, it wouldn’t survive in the future. Peter stated that offers had been made for Directors to attend team meetings and made that offer again.
Stephen asked if the Board had expressed a view on staff pay increases or how staff are paid. Alan replied that the Board scrutinises the organisation’s activities and is aware of the current pay rates and that it is constantly on the agenda. Mike noted that the philosophy of the organisation had always focused on service quality. Against that, social care within the Scottish Budget will be vulnerable and ENABLE Scotland must guard against the private sector moving in. Mike emphasised, however, that ENABLE Scotland is not interested in providing services at any cost.
Simon noted the frustration of UNISON’s members and welcomed a tightening up of the information on Grade A, B and C staff, along with the overtime protocol. He also stated that UNISON will wait until the Finance Committee for a response from ENABLE Scotland but emphasised that frontline staff are really feeling the pinch.
As you will see the Finance Committee is due to meet on 16th December to discover our claim. We are seeking an early meeting following this but it will likely be early in the New Year. It is important that we keep up the pressure to get a decent settlement. Remember VAT goes up by 2.5% to 20% on 1 January 2011. So please sign the online petition we have created. We can then present this to Enable as we go in to further negotiations.
To do so visit: https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/unisoninenable
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Personalisation speech to Community Care Providers Scotland Conference
Speech by Simon Macfarlane on Personalisation to Community Care Providers Scotland Conference on 25th November 2010 (as part of a debate on whether workers had been dealt a full hand or no hand by personalisation).
UNISON’s position on personalization is clear - we support it, we have policy in support of personalisation; as recently as 2nd November our first ever Community Conference for our new dedicated voluntary sector service group passed a motion clearly stating our support for the principles of genuine personal choice and control and independence in personal care. The motion also though set out our real concerns around the impact on the personalised workforce and the funding and quality of care.
This is entirely consistent from a union that has equality at its core and has pioneered self-organisation and vigorously addressed access issues within its own organisation.
So UNISON’s position is not that the work force has been dealt no hand, our concern is much more that the current construct of personalisation is in danger of becoming a house of cards due to inadequate resources.
UNISON has long been engaged in the personalisation agenda and the challenges it brings. In the past, UNISON was wrongly criticised for what was seen as our opposition to direct payments, and assertions were made that our members discouraged their take up.
To counter this in 2006/7 UNISON met with various representatives of disabled people’s organisations, such as the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL), Scottish Personal Assistants Employers Network (SPAEN), and the Scottish Consortium of Direct Payment Support Organisations (SCODPSO). A joint statement followed confirming our support for the principle of independent living. More importantly, all parties agreed to work together on areas of mutual acceptance.
The statement acknowledged that direct payments had a legitimate role. However, it was clear that direct payments were not a substitute for other flexible and responsive public services, and were not appropriate for all people’s needs. It was further agreed that direct payments must complement a range of public services and must not be used to cover for inadequacies in public provision. Additionally the organisations agreed to jointly promote union membership.
UNISON believes that the personalisation and transformation of social care has been introduced without adequate funding, with the focus being on reducing the cost of supporting individuals and reducing the proportion of provision in the public sector and potentially the voluntary sector.
In England which is further down the track of personalisation the evidence is clear on the impact on staff personalisation is having:
The National Minimum Data Set for Social Care in England shows that between December 2008 and February 2010 the following occurred to pay rates in the following posts:
Care Workers at NVQ 1 or 2 level saw their pay in the private sector drop from £6.30 to £6.00, in the voluntary sector it dropped from £7.04 to £7.03 and in the public sector is went from £6.80 to £7.73.
For higher graded staff the results were equally stark. Senior Care Workers above NVQ2 saw their wages drop in the private sector from £6.85 to £6.80, in the voluntary sector from £8.34 to £8.08 whilst in the public sector they rose from £9.11 to £10.69.
In Scotland I’ve spent the last 18 months in brutal negotiations with many organisations here today, seeing pay freezes, redundancies, terms and conditions slashed, and so far I have seen no evidence that a move to personalisation will lead to any reversal of this trend.
There is an issue that personal and privatised care has not increased the quality and choice of care for all care recipients, it has also produced a sector of the care market and workforce that is unregulated and provided little incentive for employers to invest in a well trained and paid workforce.
Not all service users wish to take a Direct Payment and become an individual employer. UNISON believes that individual service users would benefit from the option of paying for a Personal Assistant (PA) but not being their direct employer. This could be done by local authorities or voluntary organisations directly employing a pool of PAs which service users can select from. In this way PAs would be employed by the local authority and not budget holders acting as micro employers.
In Scandinavia models such as this are common and they offer significant benefits to the person requiring support and the personal assistant.
We need workforce remodelling agreements both at national level and at employer level. The direction of travel is clear and the key stakeholders are broadly signed up to this. So we need the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and Health Boards to set out some minimum standards and safeguards for individuals needing support, workers and providers. There is an opportunity for some joint work between CCPS and UNISON here.
It is incumbent on voluntary organisations to be clearer and louder about the need for care services to be adequately resourced and in particular about the pay and conditions of workers in the sector. It isn’t right to portray pay freezes as evidence of the voluntary sector’s efficiency. Poverty pay and poor conditions are simply inimical to high quality personalised care. The right to a personalised care service can’t be an unfettered right, it comes with significant responsibilities. Many will need help and assistance in meeting those responsibilities and the voluntary sector has a unique and crucial role in assisting people to get the personalised support they need whilst acting in an ethical and responsible manner.
It doesn’t have to be like this. Personalisation can and should be introduced with adequate funding and safeguards for staff. The voluntary sector needs to get active in campaigns such as UNISON’s Public Works and the STUC’s There is a Better Way campaigns. There’s too much fence sitting going on when many of the people you and our members support will be deeply affected by benefit cuts and the myriad of other cuts.
So I say to you don’t let personalisation tumble like a pack of cards. Join with UNISON and the STUC in campaigning for a better settlement for public services however they are provided. If your organisation doesn’t yet recognise a union, come speak to me about how we can work together to make personalisation work for service users, organisations and staff.
UNISON’s position on personalization is clear - we support it, we have policy in support of personalisation; as recently as 2nd November our first ever Community Conference for our new dedicated voluntary sector service group passed a motion clearly stating our support for the principles of genuine personal choice and control and independence in personal care. The motion also though set out our real concerns around the impact on the personalised workforce and the funding and quality of care.
This is entirely consistent from a union that has equality at its core and has pioneered self-organisation and vigorously addressed access issues within its own organisation.
So UNISON’s position is not that the work force has been dealt no hand, our concern is much more that the current construct of personalisation is in danger of becoming a house of cards due to inadequate resources.
UNISON has long been engaged in the personalisation agenda and the challenges it brings. In the past, UNISON was wrongly criticised for what was seen as our opposition to direct payments, and assertions were made that our members discouraged their take up.
To counter this in 2006/7 UNISON met with various representatives of disabled people’s organisations, such as the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL), Scottish Personal Assistants Employers Network (SPAEN), and the Scottish Consortium of Direct Payment Support Organisations (SCODPSO). A joint statement followed confirming our support for the principle of independent living. More importantly, all parties agreed to work together on areas of mutual acceptance.
The statement acknowledged that direct payments had a legitimate role. However, it was clear that direct payments were not a substitute for other flexible and responsive public services, and were not appropriate for all people’s needs. It was further agreed that direct payments must complement a range of public services and must not be used to cover for inadequacies in public provision. Additionally the organisations agreed to jointly promote union membership.
UNISON believes that the personalisation and transformation of social care has been introduced without adequate funding, with the focus being on reducing the cost of supporting individuals and reducing the proportion of provision in the public sector and potentially the voluntary sector.
In England which is further down the track of personalisation the evidence is clear on the impact on staff personalisation is having:
The National Minimum Data Set for Social Care in England shows that between December 2008 and February 2010 the following occurred to pay rates in the following posts:
Care Workers at NVQ 1 or 2 level saw their pay in the private sector drop from £6.30 to £6.00, in the voluntary sector it dropped from £7.04 to £7.03 and in the public sector is went from £6.80 to £7.73.
For higher graded staff the results were equally stark. Senior Care Workers above NVQ2 saw their wages drop in the private sector from £6.85 to £6.80, in the voluntary sector from £8.34 to £8.08 whilst in the public sector they rose from £9.11 to £10.69.
In Scotland I’ve spent the last 18 months in brutal negotiations with many organisations here today, seeing pay freezes, redundancies, terms and conditions slashed, and so far I have seen no evidence that a move to personalisation will lead to any reversal of this trend.
There is an issue that personal and privatised care has not increased the quality and choice of care for all care recipients, it has also produced a sector of the care market and workforce that is unregulated and provided little incentive for employers to invest in a well trained and paid workforce.
Not all service users wish to take a Direct Payment and become an individual employer. UNISON believes that individual service users would benefit from the option of paying for a Personal Assistant (PA) but not being their direct employer. This could be done by local authorities or voluntary organisations directly employing a pool of PAs which service users can select from. In this way PAs would be employed by the local authority and not budget holders acting as micro employers.
In Scandinavia models such as this are common and they offer significant benefits to the person requiring support and the personal assistant.
We need workforce remodelling agreements both at national level and at employer level. The direction of travel is clear and the key stakeholders are broadly signed up to this. So we need the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and Health Boards to set out some minimum standards and safeguards for individuals needing support, workers and providers. There is an opportunity for some joint work between CCPS and UNISON here.
It is incumbent on voluntary organisations to be clearer and louder about the need for care services to be adequately resourced and in particular about the pay and conditions of workers in the sector. It isn’t right to portray pay freezes as evidence of the voluntary sector’s efficiency. Poverty pay and poor conditions are simply inimical to high quality personalised care. The right to a personalised care service can’t be an unfettered right, it comes with significant responsibilities. Many will need help and assistance in meeting those responsibilities and the voluntary sector has a unique and crucial role in assisting people to get the personalised support they need whilst acting in an ethical and responsible manner.
It doesn’t have to be like this. Personalisation can and should be introduced with adequate funding and safeguards for staff. The voluntary sector needs to get active in campaigns such as UNISON’s Public Works and the STUC’s There is a Better Way campaigns. There’s too much fence sitting going on when many of the people you and our members support will be deeply affected by benefit cuts and the myriad of other cuts.
So I say to you don’t let personalisation tumble like a pack of cards. Join with UNISON and the STUC in campaigning for a better settlement for public services however they are provided. If your organisation doesn’t yet recognise a union, come speak to me about how we can work together to make personalisation work for service users, organisations and staff.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Video - Ska against the cuts
A lunchtime share for you. We’ve been humming along to this new tune from Captain Ska, a very catchy song in which the band let us know in no uncertain terms their views about the coalition government’s plan of public spending cuts.
Click on the Captain Ska link.
Click on the Captain Ska link.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
A message from Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary
Today, we are beginning to see the shape of the coalition government's cuts agenda - half a million jobs axed in the public sector; services slashed to the bone and a brutal attack on the welfare state.
And it looks like local government will take the hardest hit.
George Osborne's Comprehensive Spending Review announcement contains only the headlines. The reality of what they will mean for public service workers and their families will be revealed piece by piece over the next few months as our devolved governments, local councils, police authorities, hospitals, schools, voluntary organisations and others struggle to make sense of the massive budget cuts they have been dealt.
Today's headlines are about job cuts - the government admits to half a million in the public sector alone. Other commentators say 600,000. And economists warn that the private sector is likely to suffer a similar level of job losses as councils and others cancel contracts, shut down projects and search for ways to cut expenditure.
And even those areas the government claims to be protecting are already under pressure - in the NHS alone, £20 billion of cuts are to be found.
Across local government, health, education, housing, police, all of our public services and the private sector that relies on them: a million jobs - axed.
Behind every one of those jobs is a real family dealing with real hardship. A million public service roles - vanished.
And for each service lost - communities losing the real services they rely on. And an economy taking another hit as our families tighten their belts and cut back our own spending. Women are estimated to use three quarters of the services or benefits being cut. That is the legacy of this spending review.
A million less jobs, £4.6bn in lost tax revenue. A million less jobs and £6.1bn increase in benefit payments. An 'austerity budget' that adds £10.7bn a year to the annual deficit and almost entirely wipes out the apparent £12.5bn saving to the public sector pay bill.
These are challenging times for everyone who works in our public services and for all those who rely on them. Our services, our jobs, our pay and our pensions - all under attack.
UNISON has been speaking up for public services. Our Million Voices campaign has warned that the effects of cutting so hard and so fast will ravage our communities. We have protested that public service workers should not be made to pay for the excesses of the bankers and speculators who caused the economic recession.
Today, we are seeing the big picture of the cuts agenda. In the coming weeks, we will see more detail. But I wanted all our activists and representatives to get the union's first take on the spending review as soon as possible.
See our first glance summary of the key issues for UNISON here.
In the coming weeks and months, we have hard work to do. Our members will be anxious and fearful for their jobs. We will have to represent our members and their concerns as well as continuing to put the pressure on government and employers through local campaigning.
We will have to work with public service users and community groups to make sure that we speak up for vital services.
But we will meet this challenge as a strong, united union, determined to speak with one voice whether locally or nationally, with one aim. To defend our public services and the people who provide them. Together, in UNISON, we will meet this challenge.
Dave Prentis
And it looks like local government will take the hardest hit.
George Osborne's Comprehensive Spending Review announcement contains only the headlines. The reality of what they will mean for public service workers and their families will be revealed piece by piece over the next few months as our devolved governments, local councils, police authorities, hospitals, schools, voluntary organisations and others struggle to make sense of the massive budget cuts they have been dealt.
Today's headlines are about job cuts - the government admits to half a million in the public sector alone. Other commentators say 600,000. And economists warn that the private sector is likely to suffer a similar level of job losses as councils and others cancel contracts, shut down projects and search for ways to cut expenditure.
And even those areas the government claims to be protecting are already under pressure - in the NHS alone, £20 billion of cuts are to be found.
Across local government, health, education, housing, police, all of our public services and the private sector that relies on them: a million jobs - axed.
Behind every one of those jobs is a real family dealing with real hardship. A million public service roles - vanished.
And for each service lost - communities losing the real services they rely on. And an economy taking another hit as our families tighten their belts and cut back our own spending. Women are estimated to use three quarters of the services or benefits being cut. That is the legacy of this spending review.
A million less jobs, £4.6bn in lost tax revenue. A million less jobs and £6.1bn increase in benefit payments. An 'austerity budget' that adds £10.7bn a year to the annual deficit and almost entirely wipes out the apparent £12.5bn saving to the public sector pay bill.
These are challenging times for everyone who works in our public services and for all those who rely on them. Our services, our jobs, our pay and our pensions - all under attack.
UNISON has been speaking up for public services. Our Million Voices campaign has warned that the effects of cutting so hard and so fast will ravage our communities. We have protested that public service workers should not be made to pay for the excesses of the bankers and speculators who caused the economic recession.
Today, we are seeing the big picture of the cuts agenda. In the coming weeks, we will see more detail. But I wanted all our activists and representatives to get the union's first take on the spending review as soon as possible.
See our first glance summary of the key issues for UNISON here.
In the coming weeks and months, we have hard work to do. Our members will be anxious and fearful for their jobs. We will have to represent our members and their concerns as well as continuing to put the pressure on government and employers through local campaigning.
We will have to work with public service users and community groups to make sure that we speak up for vital services.
But we will meet this challenge as a strong, united union, determined to speak with one voice whether locally or nationally, with one aim. To defend our public services and the people who provide them. Together, in UNISON, we will meet this challenge.
Dave Prentis
Monday, 18 October 2010
UNISON’s National Skills for Life Survey
UNISON is interested in finding out about the skills, confidence, attitudes and needs of our members in relation to literacy, numeracy and computers. This will help us to inform the development of the UNISON Skills for Life Strategy to support our members.
We would encourage UNISON member's to participate in this survey, It should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and all responses will be reported anonymously.
To participate in the survey click here.
We would encourage UNISON member's to participate in this survey, It should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and all responses will be reported anonymously.
To participate in the survey click here.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Overwhelming support for pay claim
UNISON members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the submission of the pay claim below. The claim will formally be discussed at the next meeting of the joint negotiating committee on 11th November, however its contents have been intimated to enable for their consideration.
UNISON believes in the current climate and against a backdrop of a pay freeze last year, inflation over 4% and a forthcoming rise in VAT the claim is reasonable and responsible. We will up date members following the meeting on 11th November 2010.
UNISON believes in the current climate and against a backdrop of a pay freeze last year, inflation over 4% and a forthcoming rise in VAT the claim is reasonable and responsible. We will up date members following the meeting on 11th November 2010.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Non-payment of sleepover/overtime monies
We recently had a number of calls from UNISON members within the Helensburgh area, who had experienced a number of difficulties in July and again in September regarding missing payments (sleepovers/overtime) from their salary.
We did raise the issue with Enable head office and have received a response from the Finance Director, Alan McQueen confirming there had been ‘oversights’ in processing the pay for Helensburgh, but that going forward he doesn’t envisage any further problems.
UNISON appreciates Alan’s response and trust that there won’t be anymore difficulties.
We did raise the issue with Enable head office and have received a response from the Finance Director, Alan McQueen confirming there had been ‘oversights’ in processing the pay for Helensburgh, but that going forward he doesn’t envisage any further problems.
UNISON appreciates Alan’s response and trust that there won’t be anymore difficulties.
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Pay & Conditions Claim – settlement date 1 October 2010
Introduction
UNISON submits this claim in good faith on behalf of our members within Enable. We are fully aware of the challenging financial environment that Enable operates in along with other social care providers. Over the last year our members accepted a pay freeze and significant reductions in the sick pay scheme. Staff have already made a huge contribution in terms of reducing costs and can no longer be expected to bear the brunt of this.
In previous years we have set out a list of aspirations on behalf of our members. This year in continuing recognition of the economic climate we are solely focusing on a straight pay claim, with the only addition being a reiteration of our call for a review of the changes to the sick pay scheme.
Our members are highly committed to the work they do and are not motivated by financial gain but by the contribution they can make. Our members work in a sector whose work is structurally underpaid and undervalued in many ways. They cannot be reasonably expected to see their financial situation continue to deteriorate and indeed UNISON and Enable should be working in partnership to improve it.
Historic Background
Over the last 4 years pay in Enable has risen considerably less than inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index. There are two main measures of inflation RPI and Consumer Price Index. UNISON uses RPI in wage negotiations as it more accurately reflects the true movements in costs our members’ experience.
The table below shows what RPI was each October which is the date pay rises take effect from in Enable and what was ultimately achieved after negotiations and in one case a possible dispute. You will see that on two occasions we secured deals which targeted money at the lowest paid: 2006/7 and 2008/9.
Against this back drop of what are in effect cuts in the value of the wages of our members we need Enable to show faith with them a deliver a pay settlement that goes someway to address the erosion of wages.
Pay year RPI Pay award
2006/7 2.5% Project Assistants £400 (equated to 3.1%)
Support Worker 1.8% and one off £100
1.8% for reaming staff below £17,980
1.5% for staff above £17,980
__________________________________________________________________
2007/8 4.2% 2.5%
__________________________________________________________________
2008/9 4.2% £400 for grades A & B
2% for staff between £7.25 and £10 per hour
1.5% for staff above £10 p/h
__________________________________________________________________
2009/10 -0.8% 0% - pay freeze
__________________________________________________________________
Current Background
In the year to July, RPI annual inflation was 4.8 %, down from 5.0 % in June. The new Con Dem government has already introduced significant cuts in public sector spending and plans massive future cuts. UNISON Scotland calls on Enable to join with us and the STUC under the banner of our Public Works campaign and the STUC’s There is a Better Way campaign, more information can be found at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/index.html and http://www.thereisabetterway.org/
Enable are in the process of positioning themselves to respond to the personalisation agenda, this will inevitably mean changes for staff. UNISON shares Enable’s aspiration that personalisation should be focussed on better meeting the individual needs and wishes of service users and their families but worries that cost reduction will be the primary driver. So far Enable staff have engaged positively with the personalisation agenda and this willingness to adapt should be borne in mind by Enable.
Our claim also reflects that the Broadbanding system does not enjoy the full confidence of staff eligible for it and that members in these grades would wish to see a simple cost of living rise applied.
Our claim reflects the challengers we all face whilst seeking to deliver fairness and social justice for our members. We have pitched this claim at a realistic level given the standstill last year in the sincere hope that we can reach a swift settlement.
The Claim
• 2.5% on all salaries and allowances;
• That the sleepover allowance be paid for sleepovers up to 8 hours, anything above 8 hours to be paid at hourly rate;
• That Enable introduces the Scottish Living Wage as the minimum pay rate within Enable. The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.00 per hour (due to rise to £7.15); more info on it can be found at http://povertyalliance.org/slw-home.asp
• That a joint review of the changes to the sick pay scheme is undertaken soon after 1 April 2011 which is the anniversary of the changes.
UNISON submits this claim in good faith on behalf of our members within Enable. We are fully aware of the challenging financial environment that Enable operates in along with other social care providers. Over the last year our members accepted a pay freeze and significant reductions in the sick pay scheme. Staff have already made a huge contribution in terms of reducing costs and can no longer be expected to bear the brunt of this.
In previous years we have set out a list of aspirations on behalf of our members. This year in continuing recognition of the economic climate we are solely focusing on a straight pay claim, with the only addition being a reiteration of our call for a review of the changes to the sick pay scheme.
Our members are highly committed to the work they do and are not motivated by financial gain but by the contribution they can make. Our members work in a sector whose work is structurally underpaid and undervalued in many ways. They cannot be reasonably expected to see their financial situation continue to deteriorate and indeed UNISON and Enable should be working in partnership to improve it.
Historic Background
Over the last 4 years pay in Enable has risen considerably less than inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index. There are two main measures of inflation RPI and Consumer Price Index. UNISON uses RPI in wage negotiations as it more accurately reflects the true movements in costs our members’ experience.
The table below shows what RPI was each October which is the date pay rises take effect from in Enable and what was ultimately achieved after negotiations and in one case a possible dispute. You will see that on two occasions we secured deals which targeted money at the lowest paid: 2006/7 and 2008/9.
Against this back drop of what are in effect cuts in the value of the wages of our members we need Enable to show faith with them a deliver a pay settlement that goes someway to address the erosion of wages.
Pay year RPI Pay award
2006/7 2.5% Project Assistants £400 (equated to 3.1%)
Support Worker 1.8% and one off £100
1.8% for reaming staff below £17,980
1.5% for staff above £17,980
__________________________________________________________________
2007/8 4.2% 2.5%
__________________________________________________________________
2008/9 4.2% £400 for grades A & B
2% for staff between £7.25 and £10 per hour
1.5% for staff above £10 p/h
__________________________________________________________________
2009/10 -0.8% 0% - pay freeze
__________________________________________________________________
Current Background
In the year to July, RPI annual inflation was 4.8 %, down from 5.0 % in June. The new Con Dem government has already introduced significant cuts in public sector spending and plans massive future cuts. UNISON Scotland calls on Enable to join with us and the STUC under the banner of our Public Works campaign and the STUC’s There is a Better Way campaign, more information can be found at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/index.html and http://www.thereisabetterway.org/
Enable are in the process of positioning themselves to respond to the personalisation agenda, this will inevitably mean changes for staff. UNISON shares Enable’s aspiration that personalisation should be focussed on better meeting the individual needs and wishes of service users and their families but worries that cost reduction will be the primary driver. So far Enable staff have engaged positively with the personalisation agenda and this willingness to adapt should be borne in mind by Enable.
Our claim also reflects that the Broadbanding system does not enjoy the full confidence of staff eligible for it and that members in these grades would wish to see a simple cost of living rise applied.
Our claim reflects the challengers we all face whilst seeking to deliver fairness and social justice for our members. We have pitched this claim at a realistic level given the standstill last year in the sincere hope that we can reach a swift settlement.
The Claim
• 2.5% on all salaries and allowances;
• That the sleepover allowance be paid for sleepovers up to 8 hours, anything above 8 hours to be paid at hourly rate;
• That Enable introduces the Scottish Living Wage as the minimum pay rate within Enable. The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.00 per hour (due to rise to £7.15); more info on it can be found at http://povertyalliance.org/slw-home.asp
• That a joint review of the changes to the sick pay scheme is undertaken soon after 1 April 2011 which is the anniversary of the changes.
UNISON PAY CLAIM 2010/11
UNISON has written out to all members to consult you on the pay claim we propose to submit to Enable in respect of the pay rise due to cover the period 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011. We are due to meet with Enable on 11th November to discuss pay amongst other issues and will submit our claim in advance of this.
Your stewards met to discuss and agree the proposed claim on 9th September and now recommend its acceptance to you. You will see from the copy of the claim posted on the blog that we are calling for a rise of 2.5%. This is a modest claim given you endured a pay freeze last year and inflation is over 4%. Your stewards and I thought that in the current climate we had to be realistic whilst seeking to gain some improvement in pay for our members.
We have no doubt Enable will inform us money is once again tight but we hope the realistic nature of our claim will encourage them to look very seriously at meeting it. We now need you to vote strongly in support by returning the ballot paper by Friday 9th October. We also need you to help us show the growing strength of support for a decent settlement by encouraging a colleague to join. The single biggest thing you can do to help us win a decent pay award is recruit a colleague. They can join by filling in the form enclosed with the mailing or by clicking on the join UNISON picture on the blog front page.
Other aspects tackled in the claim is our belief that sleepovers over 8 hours should be paid at the rate for the job i.e. your hourly rate, this addresses the creeping move to extend sleepover times for no extra pay. UNISON still believes sleepovers should be paid at the national minimum wage and is looking at ways to progress this legally. Finally, we state again that the changes to the sick pay scheme should be reviewed.
Your stewards met to discuss and agree the proposed claim on 9th September and now recommend its acceptance to you. You will see from the copy of the claim posted on the blog that we are calling for a rise of 2.5%. This is a modest claim given you endured a pay freeze last year and inflation is over 4%. Your stewards and I thought that in the current climate we had to be realistic whilst seeking to gain some improvement in pay for our members.
We have no doubt Enable will inform us money is once again tight but we hope the realistic nature of our claim will encourage them to look very seriously at meeting it. We now need you to vote strongly in support by returning the ballot paper by Friday 9th October. We also need you to help us show the growing strength of support for a decent settlement by encouraging a colleague to join. The single biggest thing you can do to help us win a decent pay award is recruit a colleague. They can join by filling in the form enclosed with the mailing or by clicking on the join UNISON picture on the blog front page.
Other aspects tackled in the claim is our belief that sleepovers over 8 hours should be paid at the rate for the job i.e. your hourly rate, this addresses the creeping move to extend sleepover times for no extra pay. UNISON still believes sleepovers should be paid at the national minimum wage and is looking at ways to progress this legally. Finally, we state again that the changes to the sick pay scheme should be reviewed.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY march and rally
The new government has managed to create a widespread belief that it is essential public spending is slashed in order to tackle the deficit and reduce the size of public services. We do need to tackle the deficit but not this way and not in this timescale. These cuts to services will hit the most vulnerable in our community such as the people Enable supports and risk plunging us back in to recession. UNISON and the STUC have well argued and achievable practical alternatives to the right wing attacks we face. More information can be found on the following websites: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/index.html and http://www.thereisabetterway.org/
UNISON will be taking to the streets along with other unions, community groups and other organisations to support the There is a Better Way Campaign on 23rd October in Edinburgh just days after the government announces the full extent of the cuts in the Comprehensive Spending Review please join the march and bring your friends and family:
UNISON will be taking to the streets along with other unions, community groups and other organisations to support the There is a Better Way Campaign on 23rd October in Edinburgh just days after the government announces the full extent of the cuts in the Comprehensive Spending Review please join the march and bring your friends and family:
There is a Better Way March and Rally
Edinburgh 23rd October 2010
11.00 am: Assemble East Market Street Edinburgh
11.30am: March off
12.30 pm: Rally Ross Bandstand
VISITS TO WORKPLACES & STEWARDS
UNISON is keen to visit you and your colleagues at your workplace or team meetings (Enable have agreed to give us reasonable access to these) to speak to you and non member colleagues about UNISON and the benefits of membership. Please use the consultation form which is being mailed out to members or use the contact details on the front page to indicate if you would like us to visit you.
Also we are always on the lookout for more stewards in Enable, full training and support and paid time off is given to our workplace representatives. It is interesting and rewarding work and offers an opportunity to broaden your skill base. Again please use the form if you are interested in finding out more.
Also we are always on the lookout for more stewards in Enable, full training and support and paid time off is given to our workplace representatives. It is interesting and rewarding work and offers an opportunity to broaden your skill base. Again please use the form if you are interested in finding out more.
THERE’S POWER IN THE UNION
UNISON is pleased that after raising our concerns about the lack of a staff room at National Office during our submission on the restructuring there that Enable have responded by creating a new staff room. So the people who brought you the paid weekend, paid breaks and paid holidays (i.e. the unions) have delivered another benefit for staff and visiting staff at Head Office.
Remember we’re here to make your experience of work better, whatever the issue may be.
Remember we’re here to make your experience of work better, whatever the issue may be.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR JOBS, SERVICES, FAIRER TAXES & A LIVING WAGE
The Con-Dem government say there is no alternative.
We say the only sustainable response to the crisis is to promote growth and ensure fairness through creating jobs and protecting services, through fair taxation and a living wage.
UNISON is supporting the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) organised campaign - 'There is a better way' - and a forthcoming demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd October 2010. We would encourage ALL members and their families to attend this demonstration. Travel arrangements will be publicised nearer the time, so keep checking back or contact your steward about attending.
We say the only sustainable response to the crisis is to promote growth and ensure fairness through creating jobs and protecting services, through fair taxation and a living wage.
UNISON is supporting the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) organised campaign - 'There is a better way' - and a forthcoming demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd October 2010. We would encourage ALL members and their families to attend this demonstration. Travel arrangements will be publicised nearer the time, so keep checking back or contact your steward about attending.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Is your church paying a Living Wage?
UNISON receives information from many varied sources, one of these is the Church Action on Poverty who are running a campaign called 'Closing the Gap'. The 'Close the Gap' campaign encourages individuals to participate in the campaign against the ever widening pay gap between rich and poor in the UK which is greater now than at any time in the past 40 years. We need your help to tell those in power that it's time to Close the Gap.
Please read the information below, we would encourage all members involved in faith-based organisations to raise the issue of the living wage within those organisations and seek that they adopt the living wage if they have employees.
Each year, the level of the Living Wage gets reviewed and updated. It has now gone up from £7.14 an hour to £7.60. In London it is now £7.85 and in Scotland £7.15.
It is a sad fact that pay below this level is poverty wages. We believe that work should pay enough to lift people out of poverty. Thousands of hard-working families are still in poverty because people are paid just the National Minimum Wage. For Christians, this denigrates the fundamental dignity of humanity. It is an important issue of social justice to stand with people and families who are working hard but still in poverty.
Take action to stop this:
1. Make sure the administrators and cleaners at your church or employer are paid the Living Wage.
2. Ask your church leaders if they plan to implement the updated Living Wage across your area.
More information about the Living Wage is available on the Church Action on Poverty website.
Cranking up the campaign - Methodists lead the way
This summer's Methodist Conference saw them agree to require all Methodist churches and projects to pay the Living Wage by the end of this financial year, except in very exceptional circumstances. This has already lifted a significant number of lay workers out of 'in-work poverty'. This is the culmination of almost 10 years of work by Church Action on Poverty, and we pass on our congratulations to the Methodists. There is still a big job ahead to make sure the many churches and 600 Circuits adopt it.
Not far behind, the Baptists, the United Reformed Church, the Church of Scotland, and the Quakers are all publicly committed to the principle.
However, neither of the two largest denominations - the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England – has taken serious steps towards respecting their low-paid workers with a Living Wage. We will be in touch soon asking you to contact the Anglican or Roman Catholic bishops in your diocese.
Please read the information below, we would encourage all members involved in faith-based organisations to raise the issue of the living wage within those organisations and seek that they adopt the living wage if they have employees.
Each year, the level of the Living Wage gets reviewed and updated. It has now gone up from £7.14 an hour to £7.60. In London it is now £7.85 and in Scotland £7.15.
It is a sad fact that pay below this level is poverty wages. We believe that work should pay enough to lift people out of poverty. Thousands of hard-working families are still in poverty because people are paid just the National Minimum Wage. For Christians, this denigrates the fundamental dignity of humanity. It is an important issue of social justice to stand with people and families who are working hard but still in poverty.
Take action to stop this:
1. Make sure the administrators and cleaners at your church or employer are paid the Living Wage.
2. Ask your church leaders if they plan to implement the updated Living Wage across your area.
More information about the Living Wage is available on the Church Action on Poverty website.
Cranking up the campaign - Methodists lead the way
This summer's Methodist Conference saw them agree to require all Methodist churches and projects to pay the Living Wage by the end of this financial year, except in very exceptional circumstances. This has already lifted a significant number of lay workers out of 'in-work poverty'. This is the culmination of almost 10 years of work by Church Action on Poverty, and we pass on our congratulations to the Methodists. There is still a big job ahead to make sure the many churches and 600 Circuits adopt it.
Not far behind, the Baptists, the United Reformed Church, the Church of Scotland, and the Quakers are all publicly committed to the principle.
However, neither of the two largest denominations - the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England – has taken serious steps towards respecting their low-paid workers with a Living Wage. We will be in touch soon asking you to contact the Anglican or Roman Catholic bishops in your diocese.
Monday, 23 August 2010
DEFEND GLASGOW SERVICES
The DEFEND GLASGOW SERVICES campaign has called a PUBLIC meeting on
Who is the Defend Glasgow Services (DGS) Campaign
The DGS campaign unites public sector trade unions, public services workers and community organisations. Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. Our NHS is under attack. Support to the unemployed and disabled is threatened. Grants to community organisations are being slashed. The citizens of Glasgow should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of greedy bankers.
The campaign is co-ordinated by UNISON Glasgow City Branch, Public Services Trade Union
Tel 0141.552.7069 email
Campaign aims
• Defend Public Sector jobs & services
• No to cuts in public spending
• Oppose the privatisation of public services.
• Tax the banks and financial institutions that caused the crisis. End tax avoidance by the super-rich and make them pay their fair share.
• For a united campaign of public services workers, community/ voluntary organisations and service user groups to defend Glasgow’s services.
THURSDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
7.30 PM
Glasgow city UNISON branch office
4th Floor
18 Albion Street
Candleriggs
Glasgow
ALL WELCOME
Who is the Defend Glasgow Services (DGS) Campaign
The DGS campaign unites public sector trade unions, public services workers and community organisations. Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. Our NHS is under attack. Support to the unemployed and disabled is threatened. Grants to community organisations are being slashed. The citizens of Glasgow should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of greedy bankers.
The campaign is co-ordinated by UNISON Glasgow City Branch, Public Services Trade Union
Tel 0141.552.7069 email
Campaign aims
• Defend Public Sector jobs & services
• No to cuts in public spending
• Oppose the privatisation of public services.
• Tax the banks and financial institutions that caused the crisis. End tax avoidance by the super-rich and make them pay their fair share.
• For a united campaign of public services workers, community/ voluntary organisations and service user groups to defend Glasgow’s services.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Families to bail out banks
"The government has decided that women, families and children will bear the brunt of cutting the deficit," Ruth Lister, head of social policy at Loughborough University told a TUC forum on 22nd July 2010
Although the government claims that the emergency budget is fair, the combined effect of changes to benefits and service cuts is hitting the poorest hardest, especially low paid women workers and their families.
The Chancellor has claimed that the budget will "have no adverse impact on child poverty".
But, according to research by Ms Lister, the government is asking families with children to make an additional contribution that others are not paying.
"Gender and family friendliness are vitally important when we're talking about passing the fairness test," said Ms Lister.
"The conservative manifesto promised to 'make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe'," she said, "yet there seems to have been no assessment of how the budget will affect the coalition's family-friendly agenda".
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently advised the Treasury of its legal obligation to carry out an equality impact assessment of the budget.
"We need to remind the government of its duties to do an equality impact assessment of the emergency budget, and the spending review expected later this year," said Ms Lister.
Cuts to services announced in the budget, and housing benefit changes, will also hit women hardest. Research commissioned by UNISON, shows that service cuts will mean the poorest tenth of households will lose the equivalent of 20.5% of their household income, whilst the richest tenth will lose just 1.6%.
Service cuts will be particularly harsh for low-paid women, who make up most of the public sector workforce, and their families and children.
Low paid workers, who already face pay freezes and job cuts, will now also see their services and household income cut.
The government is planning to cap and put restrictions on housing benefit, which many hard-working low-income families depend on to meet rising housing costs.
Freezing of child benefit, and focusing on Child Tax Credits, which will be reduced and withdrawn from many families also indicates a shift in government policy from universal to means-tested benefits for families and children, warned Ms Lister.
Ruth Lister's blog
Women's budget group - Gender impact assessment of the coalition government budget
UNISON's Million Voices for Public Services campaign
Although the government claims that the emergency budget is fair, the combined effect of changes to benefits and service cuts is hitting the poorest hardest, especially low paid women workers and their families.
The Chancellor has claimed that the budget will "have no adverse impact on child poverty".
But, according to research by Ms Lister, the government is asking families with children to make an additional contribution that others are not paying.
"Gender and family friendliness are vitally important when we're talking about passing the fairness test," said Ms Lister.
"The conservative manifesto promised to 'make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe'," she said, "yet there seems to have been no assessment of how the budget will affect the coalition's family-friendly agenda".
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently advised the Treasury of its legal obligation to carry out an equality impact assessment of the budget.
"We need to remind the government of its duties to do an equality impact assessment of the emergency budget, and the spending review expected later this year," said Ms Lister.
Cuts to services announced in the budget, and housing benefit changes, will also hit women hardest. Research commissioned by UNISON, shows that service cuts will mean the poorest tenth of households will lose the equivalent of 20.5% of their household income, whilst the richest tenth will lose just 1.6%.
Service cuts will be particularly harsh for low-paid women, who make up most of the public sector workforce, and their families and children.
Low paid workers, who already face pay freezes and job cuts, will now also see their services and household income cut.
The government is planning to cap and put restrictions on housing benefit, which many hard-working low-income families depend on to meet rising housing costs.
Freezing of child benefit, and focusing on Child Tax Credits, which will be reduced and withdrawn from many families also indicates a shift in government policy from universal to means-tested benefits for families and children, warned Ms Lister.
Ruth Lister's blog
Women's budget group - Gender impact assessment of the coalition government budget
UNISON's Million Voices for Public Services campaign
Friday, 9 July 2010
UNISON visit to Enable HQ
Following on from a meeting with UNISON members in the Enable HQ today, it was suggested that access to some of the information below would be useful to members.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
An in-depth study, published by UNISON, explores the complex relationship between working, juggling childcare responsibilities and low pay, a relationship that traps people into low wage jobs, with little chance of progression.
The knock-on effect to families is huge. From working two jobs, taking shifts on the weekend, or feeling too tired to discipline their children or help out with homework, many parents on low wages fear their kids are missing out on vital care and support.
Working alongside researchers from the Working Lives Research Institute from London Metropolitan University, UNISON members discussed and documented the effects of low pay, long and unsocial hours and/or multiple jobs on their own lives and those of their children.
The Impact of Low Pay on UNISON’s Families is available here
The knock-on effect to families is huge. From working two jobs, taking shifts on the weekend, or feeling too tired to discipline their children or help out with homework, many parents on low wages fear their kids are missing out on vital care and support.
Working alongside researchers from the Working Lives Research Institute from London Metropolitan University, UNISON members discussed and documented the effects of low pay, long and unsocial hours and/or multiple jobs on their own lives and those of their children.
The Impact of Low Pay on UNISON’s Families is available here
'Here's how you can cut the deficit' - Mr Cameron
UNISON had a message for David Cameron today, in response to his invitation for public service workers to suggest ways of cutting the deficit.
A letter to the prime minister made our ideas quite clear. It said:
"Dear Dave,
"You asked us how we could cut the deficit. We believe you can do this without devastating public services. Here's how:
"Stop cutting vital public services.
"Stop cutting public service jobs.
"Cut bankers' bonuses and bring in a Robin Hood tax.
"Keep services in-house, instead of paying consultants.
"Cut out the privatisation profiteers.
"Thanks for listening,
"From 1.3 million public service workers in UNISON."
General secretary Dave Prentis said: "Our members didn't cause the recession. It wasn't a nurse or a social worker or a teaching assistant that gambled millions on the stock exchange and almost brought the economy down.
"So our members should not have to pay. It's time that those who created the crisis paid for it
In our alternative budget and here, UNISON has shown how it can be done without making public services workers and our communities suffer."
There's still time to let the prime minister get the message by clicking here and leaving your comments. And let us know what you've said by emailing millionvoices@unison.co.uk.
You can find more ideas in UNISON's alternative budget here.
Click here to join our Million Voices campaign to defend public services.
A letter to the prime minister made our ideas quite clear. It said:
"Dear Dave,
"You asked us how we could cut the deficit. We believe you can do this without devastating public services. Here's how:
"Stop cutting vital public services.
"Stop cutting public service jobs.
"Cut bankers' bonuses and bring in a Robin Hood tax.
"Keep services in-house, instead of paying consultants.
"Cut out the privatisation profiteers.
"Thanks for listening,
"From 1.3 million public service workers in UNISON."
General secretary Dave Prentis said: "Our members didn't cause the recession. It wasn't a nurse or a social worker or a teaching assistant that gambled millions on the stock exchange and almost brought the economy down.
"So our members should not have to pay. It's time that those who created the crisis paid for it
In our alternative budget and here, UNISON has shown how it can be done without making public services workers and our communities suffer."
There's still time to let the prime minister get the message by clicking here and leaving your comments. And let us know what you've said by emailing millionvoices@unison.co.uk.
You can find more ideas in UNISON's alternative budget here.
Click here to join our Million Voices campaign to defend public services.
Friday, 2 July 2010
National Office UNISON stall
Please come along to the Boardroom on 2nd Floor between 12.00 and 2.00 on Friday 9th July 2010.
This will be a chance to find out more about UNISON and discuss the changes at National Office.
Find out how UNISON can help you, all the benefits of membership and join on the day.
Drop in for 5 minutes or longer.
All welcome.
For further information contact Robert Rae
This will be a chance to find out more about UNISON and discuss the changes at National Office.
Find out how UNISON can help you, all the benefits of membership and join on the day.
Drop in for 5 minutes or longer.
All welcome.
For further information contact Robert Rae
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Budget: Government declares war on public services
22/06/2010
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today accused the Government of declaring war on public services and public service workers with the most draconian budget in decades.
He said: “This budget signals that the battle for Britain’s public services has begun with the Government declaring war. Public sector workers will be shocked and angry that they are the innocent victims of job cuts and pay freezes.
“Freezing public sector pay when inflation is running at 5.1% and VAT is going up, will mean a real cut in living standards for millions of ordinary workers and their families - already struggling to pay rising bills.
“Nurses, social workers, midwives, paramedics, police community support officers, housing and environmental officers who provide vital public services, are amongst those who will be hit hardest by the two year pay freeze. And for local government workers this comes on top of this year’s freeze.
“A 25% cut in departmental public spending will decimate our public services. The budget will do nothing to restore confidence or kick-start the recovery, but will push local economies into the ground, raising the spectre of breadline Britain.
“They haven’t even bothered to consider any other option but slash and burn. What of the bankers who caused the recession and the super-rich who evade tax? They must be breathing a sigh of relief that they got away so lightly. The bank tax levy is a poor substitute for a serious ‘Robin Hood” tax on financial transactions. It is a missed opportunity to raise £30bn which would have made a significant dent in the country’s deficit.
“Throwing tens of thousands of public sector workers on the dole will cost the country billions in lost tax revenue as well as piling billions onto the benefits bill.
“The Chancellor dreams of a private sector recovery but how can that be on the back of brutal cuts to public services workers. Local businesses, shops, hairdressers, restaurants will go to the wall as spending dries up. No amount of fiscal stimulus will do any good if they have no customers
“Vital services that the poor, the sick and the vulnerable rely on, are in the firing line. There is no compassion in this coalition.
“Freezing council tax is a useless gesture saving people pennies but cutting tens of millions from council budgets, trhreatening jobs, losing services and undermining the local economy.
“Raising VAT affects the poor the most as they spend a higher proportion of their meagre incomes on goods and services.
“Meanwhile major utility companies spend money sponsoring sporting events whilst attacking pay and conditions – that cannot be fair.”
Adding 500,000 public service workers to the dole between now and 2015 – which the CIPD says would be the likely effect of Osborne’s spending plans – will cost around £10 billion in lost tax and increased benefit payments. This would almost entirely cancel out the reduction in the pay bill, as well as dealing a massive blow to local economies and communities.
UNISON’s Save Our Services alternative budget:
£4.7bn could be raised every year by introducing a 50% tax rate on incomes over £100,000
£10bn could be raised every year by reforming tax havens and residence rules to reduce tax avoidance by corporations and ‘non-domiciled’ residents
£14.9bn could be raised every year by using minimum tax rates to stop reliefs being used disproportionately subsidise incomes over £100,000
£30bn could be raised every year by introducing a Major Financial Transactions Tax on UK financial institutions – the Robin Hood Tax
At least £1.5bn could be raised this year by bringing back the windfall tax on bankers’ bonuses.
£4bn could be saved this year by cancelling Trident, the project could cost as much as £100bn.
£500m could be saved every year by eradicating healthcare acquired infections from the NHS – the extra cleaners would cost half this.
£495m could be saved every year by adopting measures to improve the health and well-being of NHS staff, thereby reducing sickness absence
£1bn could be saved every year by halving the local government agency bill, as has been achieved by high performing councils
£5bn could be raised every year with an Empty Property Tax on vacant dwellings. This only exaggerates housing shortages and harms neighbourhoods.
£2.8bn could be saved every year by ending the central government use of private consultants who bring little discernable benefit
£3bn could be saved in user fees and interest charges every year if PFI schemes were replaced with conventional public procurement
Total – 77.895bn.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today accused the Government of declaring war on public services and public service workers with the most draconian budget in decades.
He said: “This budget signals that the battle for Britain’s public services has begun with the Government declaring war. Public sector workers will be shocked and angry that they are the innocent victims of job cuts and pay freezes.
“Freezing public sector pay when inflation is running at 5.1% and VAT is going up, will mean a real cut in living standards for millions of ordinary workers and their families - already struggling to pay rising bills.
“Nurses, social workers, midwives, paramedics, police community support officers, housing and environmental officers who provide vital public services, are amongst those who will be hit hardest by the two year pay freeze. And for local government workers this comes on top of this year’s freeze.
“A 25% cut in departmental public spending will decimate our public services. The budget will do nothing to restore confidence or kick-start the recovery, but will push local economies into the ground, raising the spectre of breadline Britain.
“They haven’t even bothered to consider any other option but slash and burn. What of the bankers who caused the recession and the super-rich who evade tax? They must be breathing a sigh of relief that they got away so lightly. The bank tax levy is a poor substitute for a serious ‘Robin Hood” tax on financial transactions. It is a missed opportunity to raise £30bn which would have made a significant dent in the country’s deficit.
“Throwing tens of thousands of public sector workers on the dole will cost the country billions in lost tax revenue as well as piling billions onto the benefits bill.
“The Chancellor dreams of a private sector recovery but how can that be on the back of brutal cuts to public services workers. Local businesses, shops, hairdressers, restaurants will go to the wall as spending dries up. No amount of fiscal stimulus will do any good if they have no customers
“Vital services that the poor, the sick and the vulnerable rely on, are in the firing line. There is no compassion in this coalition.
“Freezing council tax is a useless gesture saving people pennies but cutting tens of millions from council budgets, trhreatening jobs, losing services and undermining the local economy.
“Raising VAT affects the poor the most as they spend a higher proportion of their meagre incomes on goods and services.
“Meanwhile major utility companies spend money sponsoring sporting events whilst attacking pay and conditions – that cannot be fair.”
Adding 500,000 public service workers to the dole between now and 2015 – which the CIPD says would be the likely effect of Osborne’s spending plans – will cost around £10 billion in lost tax and increased benefit payments. This would almost entirely cancel out the reduction in the pay bill, as well as dealing a massive blow to local economies and communities.
UNISON’s Save Our Services alternative budget:
£4.7bn could be raised every year by introducing a 50% tax rate on incomes over £100,000
£10bn could be raised every year by reforming tax havens and residence rules to reduce tax avoidance by corporations and ‘non-domiciled’ residents
£14.9bn could be raised every year by using minimum tax rates to stop reliefs being used disproportionately subsidise incomes over £100,000
£30bn could be raised every year by introducing a Major Financial Transactions Tax on UK financial institutions – the Robin Hood Tax
At least £1.5bn could be raised this year by bringing back the windfall tax on bankers’ bonuses.
£4bn could be saved this year by cancelling Trident, the project could cost as much as £100bn.
£500m could be saved every year by eradicating healthcare acquired infections from the NHS – the extra cleaners would cost half this.
£495m could be saved every year by adopting measures to improve the health and well-being of NHS staff, thereby reducing sickness absence
£1bn could be saved every year by halving the local government agency bill, as has been achieved by high performing councils
£5bn could be raised every year with an Empty Property Tax on vacant dwellings. This only exaggerates housing shortages and harms neighbourhoods.
£2.8bn could be saved every year by ending the central government use of private consultants who bring little discernable benefit
£3bn could be saved in user fees and interest charges every year if PFI schemes were replaced with conventional public procurement
Total – 77.895bn.
Monday, 21 June 2010
UNISON Initial Response to Proposals to restructure ENABLE Scotland’s National Office
Please find below a copy of UNISON’s initial response to the proposed changes at National Office. This response was written following consultation with our members at National Office and emailed to Lorraine Davidson and Peter Scott on 16th June 2010. We are keen to expand our organisation at head office and will be arranging a drop in session soon for staff to come along to.
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UNISON welcomes the chance to feed in comments about the proposed restructuring of ENABLE Scotland’s National Office. We would though express our disappointment that the notification given to UNISON was very short, which meant we were not able to attend the consultation meetings. Going forward we would hope that as the recognised trade union adequate time is afforded for consultation. Since the notification was received we have begun the process of consultation with our members. This paper represents UNISON’s initial response.
On the substantive proposals there is a sense amongst the members that an opportunity has been missed to engage staff at the formulation stage of the shaping of the new structure to meet the needs of the organisation. If time had been invested to consult staff on what the structure needs to be to meet the challenges ahead there would be a greater buy in at this stage.
Similarly in this vein, whilst it is welcome that there was an indication in Lorraine’s letter to UNISON of 1 June that there would not be redundancies directly associated with the restructure this was not conveyed to staff when the paper was initially issued to them. This combined with the direction to staff to ask for information of managers who themselves were not in possession of this significant information caused unnecessary anxiety amongst staff. We would ask that more consideration is given to communication going forward.
UNISON appreciates the financial pressures ENABLE Scotland operates under and indeed our members have endured the pain of a pay freeze and cuts to the sickness policy. We also note the increasing drive in social policy towards personalisation. Whilst no one would argue against people who have learning disabilities getting more choice and control over their lives rather than just being passive recipients of services, our members have expressed concern that many people who have learning disabilities will not want the added responsibilities associated with becoming purchasers and commissioners. Additionally unless personalisation is properly resourced there is a danger it will push down pay and standards in the sector. We hope ENABLE Scotland will continue to be a quality provider and seek to maintain and improve terms and conditions by not entering in a race to the lowest common denominator.
On the specific areas we would make the following comments:
Practice Development – ENABLE Scotland strives for high standards across its services and our members deliver these time after time. There is a concern that removing this team could undermine the focus and drive in this area.
Operations Department – we seek assurance there will be a suitable posts for everyone.
Training & Quality – We would want to see a continuing and explicit commitment to a highly trained workforce. Something ENABLE Scotland has done well at in the past.
Head of Corporate Support – it is unclear how the new post will relate to existing posts in the organisation. Furthermore at a time when finances are so tight what cost/benefit analysis of this new post has been carried out?
Overall we are worried about an increase in workload for staff that remain in the new structure and thus we seek info on what specific work will no longer be done or what will be done in different ways that will be more efficient?
Members are also asking about what is happening with the 6th floor of the office and how this impacts on matters and would welcome an update on this.
Additionally whilst roles are being restructured in National Office there is also a desire that the physical space is looked at again and that consideration is given to the return of a discreet staff room.
Members have also asked the question how can they access minutes from the meetings of the Joint Board of ENABLE Scotland. Are these open to staff to see? If not we would formally request that they are.
The above represents our initial views on the proposals. We would seek from ENABLE Scotland a timetable for further dialogue and a timetable for implementation. We look forward to hearing from you on the next stages.
.................................................................................................................................................................
UNISON welcomes the chance to feed in comments about the proposed restructuring of ENABLE Scotland’s National Office. We would though express our disappointment that the notification given to UNISON was very short, which meant we were not able to attend the consultation meetings. Going forward we would hope that as the recognised trade union adequate time is afforded for consultation. Since the notification was received we have begun the process of consultation with our members. This paper represents UNISON’s initial response.
On the substantive proposals there is a sense amongst the members that an opportunity has been missed to engage staff at the formulation stage of the shaping of the new structure to meet the needs of the organisation. If time had been invested to consult staff on what the structure needs to be to meet the challenges ahead there would be a greater buy in at this stage.
Similarly in this vein, whilst it is welcome that there was an indication in Lorraine’s letter to UNISON of 1 June that there would not be redundancies directly associated with the restructure this was not conveyed to staff when the paper was initially issued to them. This combined with the direction to staff to ask for information of managers who themselves were not in possession of this significant information caused unnecessary anxiety amongst staff. We would ask that more consideration is given to communication going forward.
UNISON appreciates the financial pressures ENABLE Scotland operates under and indeed our members have endured the pain of a pay freeze and cuts to the sickness policy. We also note the increasing drive in social policy towards personalisation. Whilst no one would argue against people who have learning disabilities getting more choice and control over their lives rather than just being passive recipients of services, our members have expressed concern that many people who have learning disabilities will not want the added responsibilities associated with becoming purchasers and commissioners. Additionally unless personalisation is properly resourced there is a danger it will push down pay and standards in the sector. We hope ENABLE Scotland will continue to be a quality provider and seek to maintain and improve terms and conditions by not entering in a race to the lowest common denominator.
On the specific areas we would make the following comments:
Practice Development – ENABLE Scotland strives for high standards across its services and our members deliver these time after time. There is a concern that removing this team could undermine the focus and drive in this area.
Operations Department – we seek assurance there will be a suitable posts for everyone.
Training & Quality – We would want to see a continuing and explicit commitment to a highly trained workforce. Something ENABLE Scotland has done well at in the past.
Head of Corporate Support – it is unclear how the new post will relate to existing posts in the organisation. Furthermore at a time when finances are so tight what cost/benefit analysis of this new post has been carried out?
Overall we are worried about an increase in workload for staff that remain in the new structure and thus we seek info on what specific work will no longer be done or what will be done in different ways that will be more efficient?
Members are also asking about what is happening with the 6th floor of the office and how this impacts on matters and would welcome an update on this.
Additionally whilst roles are being restructured in National Office there is also a desire that the physical space is looked at again and that consideration is given to the return of a discreet staff room.
Members have also asked the question how can they access minutes from the meetings of the Joint Board of ENABLE Scotland. Are these open to staff to see? If not we would formally request that they are.
The above represents our initial views on the proposals. We would seek from ENABLE Scotland a timetable for further dialogue and a timetable for implementation. We look forward to hearing from you on the next stages.
Monday, 14 June 2010
Defend Glasgow Services - Oppose Tory/Lib Dem cuts! 12.15pm - 22nd June 2010
The newly elected Tory/ Lib dem coalition is wasting no time in announcing attacks on public sector spending and its our jobs and the vital services that we provide that are due for the axe!
This financial crisis is not of our making and is the biggest con trick for years – use public money to bail out the banks then bankers and politicians announce that the public sector must pay with cuts in jobs and services.
We reject the government and media campaign that places the blame for the crisis at the door of public sector workers/ public sector services.
We reject the idea ‘private good/ public bad’.
We need a united campaign of service providers and service users to fight cuts described as “worse than during Thatcher’s time”.
Get organised. Come to the lunch time demonstration
Join our All Glasgow Campaign!
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Defend Glasgow Services Campaign
The DGS campaign unites public sector trades unions, public services workers and community organisations. Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. Grants to community organisations are also being slashed. The citizens of Glasgow should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of greedy bankers.
Campaign co-ordinated by UNISON Glasgow Branch,
Tel 0141.552.7069
This financial crisis is not of our making and is the biggest con trick for years – use public money to bail out the banks then bankers and politicians announce that the public sector must pay with cuts in jobs and services.
We reject the government and media campaign that places the blame for the crisis at the door of public sector workers/ public sector services.
We reject the idea ‘private good/ public bad’.
We need a united campaign of service providers and service users to fight cuts described as “worse than during Thatcher’s time”.
Get organised. Come to the lunch time demonstration
Join our All Glasgow Campaign!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defend Glasgow Services Campaign
The DGS campaign unites public sector trades unions, public services workers and community organisations. Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. Grants to community organisations are also being slashed. The citizens of Glasgow should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of greedy bankers.
Campaign co-ordinated by UNISON Glasgow Branch,
Tel 0141.552.7069
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Meeting for Enable Head Office Staff - Friday 11th June 2010
Come along to UNISON House between 12.30 and 1.30 on Friday 11th June 2010 to discuss the proposed changes for National Office.
Also find out more about UNISON
You can join on the day.
All welcome.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
UNISON response to David Cameron's speech
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, responding to David Cameron’s speech today (6th June 2010)on the economy, said: “This was a chilling attack on the public sector, public sector workers, the poor, to the sick and the vulnerable and a warning that their way of life will change. There was nothing in this speech that told the rich, the banking and financial sector or the city speculators that their privileged way of life will change.
“With breathtaking gall, David Cameron is spinning a myth about a hard-done-by private sector. The Tories and their friends in big business seem to forget the tens of billions of pounds of profit made by the private sector out of public sector contracts.
“And Cameron is trying to fool the public into believing that cutting public spending, quickly and deeply, has nothing to do with political priorities or decisions. I don’t think people will be fooled.
“It is a complete nonsense to claim that you can cut tens of billions of pounds from public spending and still protect ‘front-line’ services. And throwing public sector workers on the dole does not make sense – that will have a drastic impact on local economies. For every £1 a public sector worker earns, nearly 70p is spent in local shops, cafes, hairdressers and businesses.
“Of course we have to manage the deficit, but there are other ways of reducing it and that includes making those who caused the crisis pay a bit more, and by tackling tax avoidance and evasion.
“Cutting deeply and quickly risks plunging the country back into recession – public services are too precious to be turned into a political football.”
“With breathtaking gall, David Cameron is spinning a myth about a hard-done-by private sector. The Tories and their friends in big business seem to forget the tens of billions of pounds of profit made by the private sector out of public sector contracts.
“And Cameron is trying to fool the public into believing that cutting public spending, quickly and deeply, has nothing to do with political priorities or decisions. I don’t think people will be fooled.
“It is a complete nonsense to claim that you can cut tens of billions of pounds from public spending and still protect ‘front-line’ services. And throwing public sector workers on the dole does not make sense – that will have a drastic impact on local economies. For every £1 a public sector worker earns, nearly 70p is spent in local shops, cafes, hairdressers and businesses.
“Of course we have to manage the deficit, but there are other ways of reducing it and that includes making those who caused the crisis pay a bit more, and by tackling tax avoidance and evasion.
“Cutting deeply and quickly risks plunging the country back into recession – public services are too precious to be turned into a political football.”
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Already a member….
We are always on the lookout for more members to become active in UNISON. Whether it be by becoming a steward involved in representing members and negotiating with management; or as a Health & Safety rep making sure your workplace is safe; or as a Life Long Learning rep ensuring you and your colleagues get access to training and development, there is a role for you in UNISON should you wish to get involved.
Involvement in UNISON is rewarding, interesting, can broaden your horizons and career prospects and is often good fun. Why not give it a go. Full training and support is given Please get in touch if you would like to be more active in UNISON. Contact Robert Rae (r.rae@unison.co.uk) or Simon MacFarlane (s.macfarlane@unison.co.uk) on 0141 332 0006.
We are particularly but not exclusively looking for activists in Renfrewshire, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Forth Valley, the Lothians and Orkney and Shetland.
Involvement in UNISON is rewarding, interesting, can broaden your horizons and career prospects and is often good fun. Why not give it a go. Full training and support is given Please get in touch if you would like to be more active in UNISON. Contact Robert Rae (r.rae@unison.co.uk) or Simon MacFarlane (s.macfarlane@unison.co.uk) on 0141 332 0006.
We are particularly but not exclusively looking for activists in Renfrewshire, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Forth Valley, the Lothians and Orkney and Shetland.
JOIN UNISON TODAY AND GET INVOLVED
UNISON is the recognised union within Enable Scotland and as such negotiates your pay, terms and conditions and relevant policies and procedures.
UNISON seeks to ensure a fair deal for you at work. No one works in the voluntary sector for high rewards, you do it because you care about the people Enable Scotland supports and empowers. Yet we all face increased financial pressures and need to feel valued and supported at work. UNISON wants to be your friend at work, there to give a hand when you need it as an individual and always working for you as part of the collective.
UNISON is constantly representing members at work who find themselves involved in grievance, disciplinary or other personal cases. These matters are always difficult for all concerned and can be very stressful; having the support of an independent, trained and well resourced union is invaluable in these situations. A bit like insurance, don’t wait until you need us to find out you don’t qualify for help as you are not a member, join today!
Times are tough in the voluntary sector as organisations like Enable Scotland have their funding squeezed more and more by the Councils who contract with them. Evidence of this is clear from the forthcoming changes to the sick pay scheme, which UNISON members were consulted on. That is why UNISON is pressurising the government to introduce a fair funding regime for charities like Scotland. The more members we have the stronger our voice is and the more impact we will have.
UNISON seeks to ensure a fair deal for you at work. No one works in the voluntary sector for high rewards, you do it because you care about the people Enable Scotland supports and empowers. Yet we all face increased financial pressures and need to feel valued and supported at work. UNISON wants to be your friend at work, there to give a hand when you need it as an individual and always working for you as part of the collective.
UNISON is constantly representing members at work who find themselves involved in grievance, disciplinary or other personal cases. These matters are always difficult for all concerned and can be very stressful; having the support of an independent, trained and well resourced union is invaluable in these situations. A bit like insurance, don’t wait until you need us to find out you don’t qualify for help as you are not a member, join today!
Times are tough in the voluntary sector as organisations like Enable Scotland have their funding squeezed more and more by the Councils who contract with them. Evidence of this is clear from the forthcoming changes to the sick pay scheme, which UNISON members were consulted on. That is why UNISON is pressurising the government to introduce a fair funding regime for charities like Scotland. The more members we have the stronger our voice is and the more impact we will have.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Keeping you informed
We aim to update the blog as soon as possible after the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and any other disussions/meetings with the employer.
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